Cook plays it cool as he steps out of the shadow of Steve Jobs

My role was never to replace him, says Tim Cook, speaking about his predecessor, Steve Jobs

Apple chief visited the D: All Things Digital conference to answer questions about his predecessor, Apple TV, Facebook and more

In his first live media interview, at the annual D: All Things Digital conference in California, Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook said he is not trying to be the next Steve Jobs. “Steve was a visionary. My role was never to replace him,” he told technology, media and entertainment executives.

Despite being questioned from over an hour Cook gave little away regarding insights on Apple’s products and strategies, but said Apple would “double down on secrecy on products” and that Apple TV remains “an area of intense interest”.

Regarding a possible integration with Facebook via iTunes or on the iPhone, he said: “Our relationship is good. I think we can do more with them. Stay tuned.”

But, the BBC reports, he reserved some of his strongest statements for protecting intellectual property. Rather than agree that the legal battle over patents between Apple and Samsung was taking a toll on innovation, he instead pointed toward patent piracy in general.

“It’s important that Apple not be the developer for the world,” he said. “We can’t take all of our energy, and all of our care, and finish the painting and have someone else put their name on it.”

When asked, how Apple would change under his leadership, Cook skirted the question several times, but ultimately deferred to Steve Jobs’ legacy as Apple’s founder and chief executive. “Steve was a visionary. My role was never to replace him. He was an original.”